Rob Gronkowski: Earl Thomas hit one of hardest I’ve ever taken

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski left Sunday night’s game in the first half to get evaluated for a concussion after taking a big hit from Seahawks safety Earl Thomas.

Gronkowski wound up being cleared to return to the game after what he called “a good, clean hit” as big as any he’s taken over the course of his career.

“Yeah, that was a big hit for sure; probably one of the hardest I’ve got hit in my career for sure,” Gronkowski said to reporters after the game. “[It was] by a good player; a good fast player who’s like a missile. It was a good, clean hit; nothing against it. I just took it and it just knocked the wind out of me a little bit, that’s all. If you’ve ever gotten the wind knocked out of you, you know what that feels like. Just down for about a minute or two, it’s a little tough to breath, but once it comes back, you’re good.”

Gronkowski was also involved on the last play of the game when a Tom Brady pass fell incomplete after Gronkowski and Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor made contact in the end zone. Patriots coach Bill Belichick said it was a well-officiated game and Gronkowski took a page from the coach’s book by saying “it is what it is” when asked about no flag being thrown on Chancellor.

Now that I think about it I’m not a homer. I can admit that turnovers were really the difference in this game. Edelman doesn’t fumble often and Brady threw the 1st INT for the TEAM this season. The Prosise fumble that wasn’t may have been the most important of all. Don’t recall off the top of my head what quarter it was but I do recall watching the replay, seeing that it was clearly a fumble and saying “snap it, snap it, SNAP IT!!” trying to will the Hawks to hike the ball before Belichick threw the challenge flag.
But I’m still puzzled as to how anyone could think that Kam should have been flagged on the final play.

I can’t stand Belichick so I’m not a Pats fan. That being said, what isn’t there to like about Gronk. He took a big hit and didn’t whine about it. He told the truth. It was a good, hard, clean hit. I’m sure if that were Sherman he’d have been whining about it. That’s the difference between most Patriots players and a lot of knuckleheads in the NFL. They play with class and lose with class.

Great game. It always is when Brady and Wilson face off. Gotta turn your head and look for the ball on defense. That’s all I’m going to say about that final play. Does he turn his head and make an attempt to locate the football?

Flags are thrown, you guys cry about it…flags not thrown, you guys cry about it. So much focus is on the officials now instead of the players. Gronkowski could’ve ran a cleaner route away from Chancellor, but he chose to run towards him and initiate contact. It’s a smart play. He either gets a flag or a well thrown ball from Brady. Problem was that he made too much contact and messed his own route up. That’s his fault and not Chancellor’s.

The zebras called a good game. Gronk did initiate the contact at the end, so it was a good no call. The Hawks D was incredibly aggressive and Wilson’s legs are coming back to him.
I think Patricia should re-think the rushing 2/dropping 9 defensive scheme. It just gives a good scrambling QB way too much time.
Either way, a great prime time game that was decided between 2 good teams and not refs. The NFL needs more of these for ratings to come back.
Hopefully the Pats and Seahawks can make it to the bowl for a little bit of revenge.

kamthechancellor says:
Nov 14, 2016 8:58 AM
Flags are thrown, you guys cry about it…flags not thrown, you guys cry about it. So much focus is on the officials now instead of the players. Gronkowski could’ve ran a cleaner route away from Chancellor, but he chose to run towards him and initiate contact. It’s a smart play. He either gets a flag or a well thrown ball from Brady. Problem was that he made too much contact and messed his own route up. That’s his fault and not Chancellor’s.
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Who’s crying about it??????? Haven’t heard one caller, one host on on Boston sports radio complain. Not one. Not a player, not a coach. It’s been the opposite so far today. Take the win with some class.

Game was lost letting them score before the half, though think Blount could have run it in with out Kam there to stop him that time…should have learned from Seattle’s mistake in super bowl unless you were trying to prove something. Lucky have time to retool, adjust and remember there are no gimmes in this league. NONE

Really reminded me of how we set the tone early against the Broncos in the SB. Hard hits to keep the offense second guessing about going over the middle.
You don’t see Gronk ever hear ‘footsteps’ but he did last night. As good as he is the Hawks had him out of his element.
I’m amazed how accurate Brady can be. But the slightest pressure he can be mortal.
Great game all around. I hope to see you guys in the SB.

Note to Pat’s fans who talked so much trash after being gifted a SB win and winning against a weakened Seattle defense in the SB that had been decimated by injury to both Kam, ET, Lane, and Clif Avril. And Pat’s fans are saying what a weak defense Seattle has even though their record speaks for itself 4 years in a row as the number 1 defense in the NFL.

Last night you saw Kam coming back after missing 4 games due to injury, and still no Michael Bennett, Seattle’s best pass rusher.

Where is all the trash talkin’ NE? Crickets.

I read a stat out of 102 games after leading at Foxboro in the 4th quarter that was only the 2nd time NE experienced a loss. Still think Seattle has no Defense NE fans?

Who’s crying about the non call? Well, the author and a couple of other commenters, for 3. I give credit to those that can see that Gronk initiated contact, but don’t pretend that you all can see what is clearly before your own eyes. Some are forever blinded by Seahawk hatred or Patriots homerism.